South Plainfield School District
School District · South Plainfield, New Jersey
Avg Rating
6.8
out of 10
Schools
7
4 elem, 2 mid, 1 high
Enrollment
3,694
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Avg Rating
6.8
out of 10
Schools
7
4 elem, 2 mid, 1 high
Enrollment
3,694
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Evaluating South Plainfield School District?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge South Plainfield School District as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
John E. Riley Elementary School
South Plainfield · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Franklin Elementary School
South Plainfield · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
South Plainfield Middle School
South Plainfield · Middle. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
New Jersey rank
#155 of 398
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+0.4
above New Jersey avg
Per-pupil spending
$23,963
$1,646 vs New Jersey median
District size
3,694 students
Larger than New Jersey median
The short answer
South Plainfield School District ranks #155 of 398 New Jersey districts by overall school rating. South Plainfield School District's schools with real test data average 6.8/10 across 7 schools. Its top-rated schools are John E. Riley Elementary School (8.1/10), Franklin Elementary School (8.1/10), and South Plainfield Middle School (7.7/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in South Plainfield School District
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (7 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John E. Riley Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Franklin Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | South Plainfield Middle School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Roosevelt Elementary School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Grant Elementary School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 6 | John F Kennedy Elementary School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 7 | South Plainfield High School | 5.1 / 10 |
See all 7 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About South Plainfield School District
South Plainfield School District is a South Plainfield, New Jersey school district serving 7 schools.The district educates 3,694 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1. District-level spending was $23,963 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 6.8/10, South Plainfield School District demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is John E. Riley Elementary School, which has a composite score of 8.1/10.
In standardized testing, South Plainfield School District students show an average math proficiency of 55.6% and ELA proficiency of 60.5%.
The district includes 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
District Map
Schools in South Plainfield School District, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in South Plainfield School District with test data.
Schools in South Plainfield School District
7 schoolsDistrict Details
- State
- New Jersey
- City
- South Plainfield
- Total Enrollment
- 3,694
- Teachers (FTE)
- 340
- District spending per student
- $23,963NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 5.9%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in South Plainfield School District?
South Plainfield School District has 7 schools in total — 4 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for South Plainfield School District?
The average composite rating for South Plainfield School District is 6.8/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in South Plainfield School District?
South Plainfield School District's district-level spending was $23,963 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in South Plainfield School District?
The average student-teacher ratio in South Plainfield School District is 10.9:1.
What is the top-rated school in South Plainfield School District?
John E. Riley Elementary School is the highest-rated school in South Plainfield School District with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What are the test scores in South Plainfield School District?
Across schools in South Plainfield School District with test data, the average math proficiency is 55.6% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 60.5%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does South Plainfield School District compare to other districts in New Jersey?
South Plainfield School District has an average school rating of 6.8/10 across 7 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in New Jersey by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 6.8/10
- Math Proficiency
- 55.6%
- ELA Proficiency
- 60.5%
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateOther School Districts in NJ
Compare South Plainfield School District with neighboring districts in the state.
- Newark Public School District (64)
- Paterson Public School District (43)
- Jersey City Public Schools (39)
- Elizabeth Public Schools (37)
- Trenton Public School District (25)
- Woodbridge Township School District (24)
- Hamilton Township Public School District (23)
- East Orange School District (20)
- Cherry Hill School District (19)
- Clifton Public School District (19)
- Edison Township School District (19)
- Passaic City School District (19)
- Toms River Regional School District (18)
- Camden City School District (16)
- Middletown Township Public School District (16)
- Plainfield Public School District (15)
- Wayne Township Public School District (15)
- Old Bridge Township School District (14)
- Parsippany-troy Hills Township School District (14)
- Union City School District (14)
- Vineland Public School District (14)
- Bayonne School District (13)
- West Orange Public Schools (13)
- Brick Township Public School District (12)
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, New Jersey Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.
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